Download The Roman Republic

From Republic to Empire.....
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away.....
The Roman
Republic
Following the overthrow of the Etruscans,
Romans were determined never again to be
ruled by Kings. They adopted a form of
government known as a republic.
REPUBLIC: a state in which elected representatives run the
government, usually with a president as a formal head.
This form of government proved to be very
successful. It lasted 500 years, and during
that time, Rome became the leading power
in the Mediterranean.
Roman Political Structure
Rome was divided into two distinct groups:
– PATRICIANS: Wealthy land owners and
Rome’s ruling class.
– PLEBEIANS: Less wealthy landowners,
farmers, artisans and merchants.
– ONLY PATRICIANS COULD BE ELECTED
TO OFFICE.
Basic Governmental Structure
CONSULS
– Two chosen every year to run the government
and lead the Roman Army into battle
PRAETORS
– In charge of civil law- laws that applied to the
citizens of Rome
SENATE
– Select group of about 300 patricians who
served for life.
Land
Was status to the wealthy
Many farms had fallen to disrepair as
soldiers spent years away from their farms.
Many wealthy bought public lands & farms
using slaves to farm the land.
Poor country people went to the cities, still
unable to work and very poor.
Conquered Lands
Following each conquest, Rome made alliesof it’s
defeated enemies and treated them justly.
They took only a portion of their land, permitted
the people to keep their customs, government and
laws.
Did not take slaves.
They did have to acknowledge Roman leadership.
This won Rome the loyalty of the people on the
Italian Peninsula.
Roman Legions
organized troops of 4000 to 5000 men each. These were
organized into smaller units or companies called
COHORTS.
In battle the companies separated into three lines:
• FRONT- HASTI- Young men, unproven in battle
• SECOND- PRINCIPES- Older men carrying superior
weapons/shields
• THIRD- TRIARII- Veterans who had already proved their courage
The Republic Struggles
From leader to leader, Rome seemed to
struggle under the grasp of the Senate,
whose interest was of only their own.
There were some who tried to help the poor
but their fate usually ended in death, or
disapproval of the Senate.
Tiberius Gracchus ~ 133 BC
Elected member of the tribune
Tired to get the wealthy to return the land to
the poor
Senators were opposed, as much of the land
belonged to them.
Riots broke out
Tiberius was clubbed to death.
Gaius ~ 123 BC
Brother of Tiberius
Elected member of the tribune
Also wanted to help the poor
He was also murdered
Pompey The Great ~ 70 BC
Was a general
Won victories in Spain
Crushed the slave revolt led by the
gladiator, Spartacus.
Cleared the Italian seas of pirates
Senate would not support Pompey
Allied himself with Gaius Julius Caesar
By 60 BC – Pompey, Caesar and Crassus
became allies.
The Move to Empire
Julius Caesar gains absolute power
Civil war results in the assassination of
Julius Caesar
Octavian defeats his rival Marc Antony and
takes over Rome.
An Empire
Octavian becomes the first Emperor in 31
BC and is known as Augustus.
An Empire is a political unit having control
over a lot of territory and ruled by a
supreme authority.
Old laws and institutions remain in place so
to “appear” as a republic.